Identifying the needs and problems of those left behind, and working with them to address inequities in sexual and reproductive health: a key focus of Reproductive Health for 2020

Given that the preconceptual period has been identified as a critically important stage that influences maternal and perinatal health, interventions that are being developed to improve the coverage of preconceptual care, such as family planning, contraception, nutrition, lifestyle factors (e.g. smoking, alcohol, caffeine, weight) vaccinations, reduction of harmful exposures, prevention and treatment of chronic and infectious diseases, and environmental exposures are of interest [18,19,20]. Health providers must have an active role to end female genital mutilation/cutting and achieving a respectful care, by adapting or creating behavioral change strategies including their own evaluation of their behavior and its change [21, 22]. Doucet M, Pallitto C, Groleau D. Understanding the motivations of health-care providers in performing female genital mutilation: an integrative review of the literature.